6 June 2003 18:31 [link]
the most paranoid bank in the world
Barclays Bank are possibly the most paranoid bank in the world. We've been trying to add Sara on to my account there for a while now. First, they required proof of address in her married name. We didn't have any of the proofs they would accept (all our utilities bills, for example, were in my name or our landlord's name). "We're married," I said. "We live together. We have the same address - the one that's on the account already." No dice.
Fortunately, Sara already has a NatWest account. (When she first came over here, we had similar problems with proofs of address, etc.; Barclays were paranoid, NatWest were sensible.) So, we got her name changed on that, and had me added to it - all quite painlessly - so we have proof of address now.
We went back today, armed with bank statements, passport, marriage licence, everything we could think of. They refused to add her to the account on the grounds that her passport was signed in her maiden name. Could we get the passport changed? Not with 9 years left to run and a bunch of hard-to-obtain official stamps in it. As well as a passport, they accept a UK driving licence, which Sara doesn't have yet, and which we have no plans to obtain at the moment. (A US driving licence isn't acceptable.) They'll accept a provisional driving licence, but that costs 30 quid and I'm not sure Sara can get one.
I don't really want to have to close my Barclays account, but I'm starting to think that it might be the sensible option. I like their Visa debit card and I like their online banking and they're very helpful and good once you've got an account, but this is just getting annoying. I appreciate the need for security as much as anyone, but if NatWest can take specimen signatures, why can't Barclays?
I'm ranting now, aren't I?
* * *